Chapter 287

Summer's POV

I stood frozen. watching the exchange between Brandon and his mother with my mouth slightly open. What Jane had just revealed, and what Brandon was saying in response... it was changing everything I thought I knew about the Stark family.

"No, Brandon, listen to your mother, I only did what I did because-" Jane's voice trembled as she tried to explain.

"Because you wanted to divorce my father?" Brandon cut her off, his voice sharp as steel. "And then break up Uncle Gavin's marriage? Separate Gavin and Meave so you could marry my uncle instead?"

Jane's face drained of color. "I... I..."

"You believe my father forced himself on you," Brandon continued, each word precise and cutting. "But do you know who drugged my father thirty-five years ago?"

I felt my heart drop. The scandal he was describing was shocking enough,but the cold calculation in Brandon's voice was even more chilling. This wasn't just family drama--this was something far deeper and darker.

"I told you before," Brandon said, his voice dangerously quiet, "staying with the Sinclairs would have been your best option. I am your son, after all-I inherited your ruthlessness."

He took my hand, his grip firm but not painful. "We're done here."

As Brandon led me out, my mind was reeling. The man beside me wasn't the cold, distant person others thought they knew. What I'd just witnessed was more complex-a man deeply wounded by family betrayals, fighting to protect what was his.

Once we were safely in Brandon's car. he helped me with my seatbelt before sliding into the driver's seat. Before he could start the engine, I placed my hand over his.

"Hey," I said softly.

The hardness in his expression melted slightly as he looked at me. "Did I scare you?"

I shook my head. "No. I'm just... processing."

Brandon sighed, running his hand through his hair. "I didn't want you to see that side of me."

"The side that cares enough to protect me?" I asked with a small smile.

He looked at me with surprise, then something in his eyes softened.

I traced my finger along the back of his hand,hesitating before asking,"What about Alice? Your sister... you mentioned her before."

Brandon's jaw tightened. "Stark family dynamics are complicated. Don't trust anyone I haven't specifically vouched for. Alice was the child born to that college student I mentioned."

"What happened to her? The college student, I mean."

Brandon's eyes darkened. "Shecame from a poor family. After what happened, she lost her job and went back home. Her family wasn't supportive, and she struggled to raise the baby alone. Eventually, she approached the Stark family, hoping they would at least acknowledge her child."

"And your father?" I asked carefully. "What did he want to do?"

"He wanted to divorce my mother. Free her. It was all arranged, but at the last minute, she changed her mind and backed out."

I frowned. "Why would she do that if she wanted to be with your uncle?"

"You're forgetting about the Sinclair family behind her," Brandon explained."They would never allow the divorce. Do you understand what that would mean? The Sinclairs would lose their connection to the Stark family-and their foothold on Wall Street. My uncle Jeffrey isn't stupid."

"So what happened to Alice?"

Brandon's expression turned distant. "My mother refused to divorce my father, but she also refused to let the Stark family acknowledge Alice. She wouldn't even let Alice's mother set foot in New York. Eventually, she took her dowry and returnedI to Washington. She never came back."

I stared at him, finally understanding the depth of his resentment. "That's why you're so protective of Alice. You feel guilty about what happened to her."

Brandon didn't respond, but I saw his eyes darken.

"Brandon," I said gently, "that's all in the past. You don't need to carry it with you. You're both adults now, capable of conrolling your own destinies-"

"I know," he interrupted. "You think I'm still affected by all this? I'm not.

I just refuse to let anyone else control my fate. My life is my own."

"What about Gavin and Meave?" I asked.

"They truly love each other. They were always meant to be together." His voice softened. "Don't worry, I know where my loyalties lie."

Brandon glanced at me. "The real victims weren't me. Despite everything.I'

m still a Stark, the future heir to the family fortune. The ones who truly suffered were my sister and Alice."

"Your sister? Sarah?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes. My mother transferred all her anger onto Sarah. That's why Sarah dislikes my mother even more than I do."

Brandon reached for my hand. "I'm telling you all this not to upset you,but because I want to share everything with you-both good and bad.I don't want secrets between us."

I squeezed his hand, then suddenly remembered something. "Wait, how did you know I was here with your mother?"

"Did you forget I have people watching over you?" he replied with a slight smile.

"Your security team told you? But you got here so fast! What,do you fly?"

Brandon laughed. "Something like that. I can't stand the thought of you being hurt, so I'll always come running whenever you need me."

"You're amazing," I said, feeling a rush of affection. "Don't worry about me,though. I can take care of myself. I won't let anyone push me around anymore,"

"Really?" Brandon raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes."Since the day I met you, when have you ever not caused me worry?"

I felt my cheeks flush. "That was before! I'm talking about from now on.Nobody's going to mess with me again."

"Alright," he said, his smile widening. "I'll believe you just this once."

Back at the Hamptons estate, Brandon immediately disappeared into his study while I busied myself in the kitchen. As I chopped vegetables,my mind kept replaying the day's events.

The Stark<family secrets. Brandon's childhood. The scandal with Alice's mother. It was all so overwhelming. And something about Jane's hostility toward me still felt strange-almost personal in a way I couldn't quite put my finger on.

"Summer?" Meave's voice startled me from my thoughts.

I looked up to find her watching me from the doorway,concern etched on her face.

"You've seemed distracted since you and Brandon returned," she said."Did something happen?"

I hesitated, setting down my knife. "Can I ask you something?"

Meave nodded, her eyes gentle. "About Brandon? Or the Stark family?"

"Brandon's mother found me today," I said."Jane Sinclair."

Meave's expression hardened slightly. "Let me guess-she discovered your relationship with Brandon and decided to cause trouble?"

"How did you know?" I asked, surprised.

"It's not clairvoyance, dear," Meave replied with a sad smile. "It's just who she is. Whatever she said to you, don't take it to heart. Gavin and I both approve of your relationship with Brandon."

I bit my lip, still troubled. "That's just it. She didn't know me before today.but she seemed to hate me instantly. Like, really hate me. It was weird..."

Meave studied my face for a long moment. something unreadable flickering in her expression.

"She's like that with everyone," she finally said, though something in her voice made me wonder if she was holding back. "Especially anyone close to Brandon or Gavin."

I nodded, but couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story-a missing piece I couldn't quite grasp.